Potassium supplementation versus bendrofluazide in mildly to moderately hypertensive Kenyans

Abstract

Eighty-four consecutive black patients who had confirmed but untreated hypertension participated in a double-blind randomized clinical trial involving potassium supplement (64 mmol/day) versus bendrofluazide (10 mg/day). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the 42 patients receiving potassium supplementation (group A) decreased from a mean (+/- SD) of 108 +/- 3 to 88 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.001; paired t test) after 28 weeks of medication. DBP of the 42 patients receiving bendrofluazide (group B) decreased from a mean of 108 +/- 2 to 84 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.001; paired t test). There was no statistically significant difference between the magnitude of decrease in DBP in group A and B patients (unpaired t test). No clinical, biochemical, or ECG abnormalities occurred in group A patients. Eight group B patients showed hyperuricemia; 4 patients in the same group had hyperglycemia and 3 other patients had hypokalemia. The results support the notion that potassium supplementation may be an effective therapeutic approach to mildly hypertensive blacks.